IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

All of our events have now been postponed to September and beyond.   We have been overwhelmed by phone, email and website messages and are responding as quickly as possible. We are working remotely and are denied access to the building and box office, making things difficult. We so appreciate all of the warmth and support we’ve received so far. 

A  few important points.  

A couple of weeks ago we sent out a mass email to all people who, through ticket purchases, opted in to receiving emails. We are in the process of creating an override so that ALL ticket purchasers regardless of their consent to receive emails will be sent important updates via email.  

In the meantime we’ve also put a very visible link to another mailing list button on our website, front page. Www.festhall.ca. The front page of the site also has the statements we are continually making. We encourage you to visit the site often. There is also a link called Calendar which shows all of the new show dates.  

Again please be advised your existing tickets and same seats will be honoured at all of the postponed shows. For Menopause the Musical that has two dates, the May 12 tickets will be honoured September 8. The May 13 tickets will be honoured September 9.  

Our phone message box fills up quickly and sometimes people aren’t able to leave messages. The best way to reach us is by email at events@festhall.ca. We will get back to you within 48 hours.  

The Stampeders have now postponed until November 1.  

Please consider holding your tickets as we navigate through this extremely overwhelming time for our theatre. We are counting on our patrons to continue to support us by not requesting refunds. If you can’t attend the new date, please consider donating them to a senior or to Community Living.  Live performing arts were the first to be impacted and will be the last to be open  this has affected us greatly and we are working on a plan to honour our loyal patrons who have agreed to not seek refunds.  When a refund is processed we are also charged fees from the ticketing software provider, PayPal, bank, credit car companies etc so refund fees will apply. As well we cannot return the ticket processing fee paid at the time of the ticket purchase. We have kept this box office fees low compared to Ticketmaster etc and they reflect only what we in turn are charged for processing tickets.   
 

People who have purchased online will note the terms and conditions printed on the email confirmation Stating no refunds on postponed shows and refunds on cancelled shows only at the discretion of the Director.  In person ticket holders will also see printed No Refunds.  Our priority is keeping our patrons happy so in some circumstances it will be necessary to refund with applicable fees but we are overwhelmed at the number of people not requesting refunds and thank you so much for this .  Many show expenses are paid well before the performance and of course even though our doors are unlocked we have regular bills to pay such as insurance, phone, monthly fees, etc.  Thank you for helping us to continue!

Once things are open, we will be employing every imaginable resource to fully clean and sanitize the theatre and we will look at different ways that our patrons, volunteers and performers can feel comfortable while still being able to lose themselves in the joy of performing.  

We are in the midst of serious and difficult times and we hope you are all obeying guidelines for the sake of your neighbours and friends. Don’t forget to listen to music and enjoy the many beautiful performances available on the web, YouTube and tv.  Music heals!  And then there is comedy....as many of you know our Director is a Second City alumnus and has been recognized for his contributions to comedy. Here’s a little comment he made to make you chuckle. I (Rick) am the only one that can delay Menopause! 

Have a great day everyone and continue to be a light to others.

.........................................................................

A message from Director Rick Wharton 

UIn our 40 years,  Festival Hall has never experienced the full closure of our theatre. 

Over the last 2 weeks, we have all felt the sudden thrust of COVID-19 as it has taken unexpected control over the normalcy of our daily lives.  

For those of us in the arts community, COVID-19 has closed the curtain on performances that are the essence of our industry.  

At this time of great uncertainty, our commitment is to support our theatre community, our volunteers, our patrons, our sponsors, our performers, our crew, our promoters and renters and to ensure that that we will still present our 2020 season with postponed dates. We thank the municipalities of Pembroke, Petawawa and Laurentian Valley for entrusting us to guide this gem called Festival Hall through this crisis. We guarantee that when the curtains open we are going to celebrate as never before! 

The show must go on, and will go on, but we need your help. We are reaching out to you today to help bring the delightful season of theatre we had planned for you a reality. We are very reliant on ticket sales. With no shows on stage, we will be challenged but are confident we can do this.  Our renters and performers and promoters have been united in their desire to come to our wonderful venue. Your support will help us withstand this difficult time. 

Many are finding the uncertainty of these times difficult, but if you are in a position to help, please help by:  

Consider holding your tickets until the postponed date rather than requesting a refund. Please note. We are currently not permitted to enter the building or box office and as such cannot process refunds or exchanges at this time.   Note your purchased seat will remain the same for the postponed show  and your hard copy ticket will be honoured on the other date!

Buying gift certificates by making arrangements via email at events@festhall.ca  

Making a donation the next time you purchase a ticket on line. Follow the link in your shopping cart.  

If you cannot attend the new performance date and currently hold tickets please please consider giving them to a friend or a loved one or donating them to a retirement residence or Community Living. 

We want to express our sincere thanks for your support over the years. Your support is critical in ensuring Festival Hall can continue to create memorable theatre experiences for all In our community and for our visitors.  

We are in this together and look forward to welcoming you back into our house to celebrate.  

Thank you, 

Rick Wharton 

All new dates can be found on this  website by clicking on the a calendar button.  Please email events@festhall.ca with further inquiries.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM DIRECTOR RICK WHARTON

MARCH 13, 2020

BOX OFFICE CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 4, 2020 

The health and safety of our visitors, artists, staff and volunteers is of paramount importance.  Due to the unprecedented pandemic of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are cancelling in person Box Office hours and all performances and events at Festival Hall until April 4, 2020.   
Festival Hall is also taking the following measures effective immediately and continuing until April 4, 2020. 

OUR FACILITY’S MAINTENANCE TEAM IS TAKING EXTRA CARE DURING THIS TIME TO SANITIZE ALL PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING DOOR HANDLES, HANDRAILS AND OTHER SURFACES 

HAND WASHING AND SANITIZERS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR SPACE - BUT THE BEST THING TO DO IS WASH YOUR HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS FOR PROPER DURATION 

ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO STAY HOME.  DIRECTOR RICK WHARTON AND OTHERS WILL BE WORKING FROM HOME ANSWERING YOUR INQUIRIES BY EMAIL AT EVENTS@FESTHALL.CA.   

We are confident that performances April 4 and beyond will move forward.  To date, none of our promoters or performers have cancelled their performances after April 4.  In the event that these events are postponed, we will be issuing notices regularly on Facebook and on our website, www.festhall.ca. Ticket purchases are still available online.  

In the event of future event cancellations and postponements, we will be asking ticket buyers to please be patient with us.  Rest assured we will take care of all ticket buyers.  Your understanding is appreciated. 

In these times, cancellations of that nature can jeopardize the future of the performing arts in your community.  In all circumstances we will be asking you to consider hanging on to your ticket for the postponed date, where it will be honoured, accepting an exchange for a different show, gifting your ticket to a friend or neighbour, or making a monetary donation to your community theatre for that same amount.  This is a suggestion being made at many other community performing arts centres.  Because we are not being affected by any cancellations as of yet, this point is not applicable.  

In the meantime, there will be no refunds issued for any tickets purchased.  (as per our existing policy and as printed on your ticket or confirmation email.) We will cross the “refund” bridge when we come to it, and just ask that you consider the remarks in the above paragraph in the meantime should such decisions then have to be made. 

Upon our return to the theatre, and for events in April, May and June, we ask that you consider elbow bumps - or perhaps jazz hands - instead of handshakes!  If you are experiencing sneezing, coughing, or fever, please stay home.  Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow if no tissue is available). We will have tissue available as well as plenty of soap in our washrooms.  NOTE most performances have well less than 400 in attendance - there are also opportunities to space out if you feel more comfortable and use unsold seats. 

We thank you for your support of Festival Hall and for your patience during these uncertain times. 

Please direct any other inquiries to events@festhall.ca.  Your messages will all be answered. 

RESPECTFULLY, 

RICK WHARTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR 
FESTIVAL HALL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 

13 March, 2020